The Arched Windows are Perfect.....Among Other Things!

We love the arched windows even more now than when we picked them out.  They just fit the house perfectly.  

Here is a To Do List left for the crew.  

We LOVE the windows!  

Braeden's bathtub

The arched window in the spare bedroom.

This is the slider with the transom that goes to the lanai.

The plumber started. 

Here is the partial wall that will house two posts that will extend to the ceiling.    There is also a small wall with a single post by the front door and on the other side.  It really defines the room in such an open space.  

Braeden's bathtub.

The heating and cooling also started today.  You can see the vent in the floor in front of the window.

The returns for the geothermal heating unit are on the wall.

Heating and Cooling.

Duct work.

The arched garage doors are more defined now.  

The Progress Continues.

Looking out the dining room window. 

Installing the slider.

Brian's Parents are Here!

Leslie and Fred came to visit through Christmas.  Here they are walking through the house for the first time.    They had only seen the house through the blog and other pictures prior to this walk through.  It was a lot of fun taking them through the house and showing them where everything will be.  In addition, they have had many good ideas.

Braeden has been so excited that Grandma and Poppy are here from CT.

We were able to walk out back since the ground actually froze for a little while after all of the rain and mud.  

The Windows Are Here! The Windows Are Here!

What an experience it was picking out the windows!  Tracy, our builder, was fantastic.  We originally met with a Pella representative, but ended up ordering the same windows at Lowes.  It was amazing, but Tracy had more ideas and knew the products better than the representative did.  He truly amazes us sometimes.  He has such vast knowledge.  Somehow he keeps it all in his head.....from shingles, to measurements, to windows, to whatever it is that is needed.

Now, on to our beautiful windows.  I am so in love with the windows.  They started by installing the windows at the rear of the house.  The first ones were the largest in the living room area.  They have transoms and I love them!  They got most of the windows placed in the back the first day.

Woohoo!  Look how pretty!

Apparently, the window was too heavy to set by lifting it into the open space, so they used the Skytrack to bring it over and position it.  

Our first window.  Love it! 

It made me a nervous wreck when they were swinging those big hammers near the  beautiful windows.

I know the guys just cringe when I come around with my camera.  However, they have been so patient.  I'm not sure what they say when we leave, but they are certainly polite while we are there.  

The big moment!  Look at those transoms!

This is Braeden's room.  

On the left is the breakfast nook and on the right is the living room area.  You can see the double tray up above.  

Braeden is in Mommy and Daddy's room.  He is still trying to get us to trade him : )

Our first security system : )

View from the outside.

Garage windows.  

The remaining windows were set on Monday.  I was so excited to see the arched windows, but we had to wait an entire weekend.  As you can see, the guys carried the windows inside and nailed them to the floor just to be safe.

Final Days of Framing

Boy, the time sneaks up quickly!  I can't believe I am almost two weeks behind!  We have been spending so much time walking through the house, making decisions for the house, thinking about the house....there has been little time to blog about the house!  I am going to try to get caught up ASAP!

It is unbelievable that the shingles were finished (almost) in two days.  They were two bundles short, so those are on order.  Unfortunately, I was at a conference when they started, so I really missed all of this part.  So, here is the result!  

We went with Owens Corning shingles in Black Onyx.  

Shingles with frost on them

Day 8 and 9

The framers are almost finished.  They have worked very quickly.  They would have already been completely finished had the weather cooperated.  We are so anxious to get the shingles on.  Certainly would be nice if Mother Nature could eek out a few warm days for us : )  At any rate, shingles will be started Monday or Tuesday.  They have already been delivered and are ready to go.  In addition, windows have arrived.  We can't wait to see them.  However, our builder doesn't take any chances with windows.  They will be set once the shingles are complete!

The guys having some fun!

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Here you can see the double tray in the living room.

This shows the dining room header.  There will be a partial wall on the angled corner with two columns.  To the right is the foyer.